Yup I got them planted yesterday. I also made sure to have them an inch or two above grade.

I was thinking landscape fabric would be good too. My existing trees are growing slowly and I think getting rid of the weeds is key.

Speaking of cages, I had removed them from my 4 small trees this year and each of them got hit by deer. One was rubbed and the others were raked by horns. They browsed them good too. Needless to say the cages are back on! Lesson learned there.

I'll be cutting back some brush tomorrow from around my food plot, trimming out some new shooting lanes around one of my new stands, and doing some post season scouting and shed hunting. I've been getting some trail cam pics of bucks that have already shed antlers.

It looks like they are starting to drop their horns here too. I actually passed on this buck with the bow and was thrilled to see that he made it through.

Hows the grouse population? Ive been out looking for them but keep finding holdover pheasants that the state released before deer season.

I've got grouse all over... until we get a good snow like two weeks back- then they're gone. Across the road there is a pretty extensive patch of cedars and a swampy area. I'm pretty sure they winter there.

reeleyz-

I haven't tried the grow tubes. They are talked up pretty good, but I doubt I could have gotten better first year growth than I did. I've got a sprayer for the back of the wheeler... It was dry for about a month or more right after I planted last year. I got there at least every other day and kept everything from drying out. Grow tubes mostly help by retaining moisture- I guess if you keep things watered- especially early on, you'll do fine without them. Otherwise I'm sure they'll make a big difference.

Making room for the chestnuts or you adding some different type vittles , You got it looking real good around there They sure are digging for them , You need to be setting in the shack still looks like it is comfy

Making room for the chestnuts or you adding some different type vittles , You got it looking real good around there They sure are digging for them , You need to be setting in the shack still looks like it is comfy

I'm clearing this spot for more apple trees with Chestnut mixed through also. Our season closed on the 16th, that shack is pretty comfy, but Dad's stand has it beat...

Dad is on some medication that makes it so he can't handle the cold like he used to. I put a lot of effort last summer into being able to move the camper to a good travel zone between 2 bedding areas so we could hunt this year together.